Progress Continues in 2011 - 2012

Geothermal Heating and Cooling Operational

Installation of a green, geothermal system of heating and cooling at the museum is now complete. The $6 million capital project funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will significantly enhance our ability to stabilize and preserve our collection of historic American locomotives and railroad cars.

Previously, the dramatic changes in temperature in Rolling Stock Hall over the course of a year varied as much as 70 degrees, which can be particularly hard on our wooden trains and fragile artifacts. Now we will be able to keep the collections at a relatively stable temperature and humidity level.

This project involved the renovation of portions of the Museum’s existing and outdated HVAC system as well as the installation of a new geothermal heating and cooling system for Rolling Stock Hall. Approximately 125 geothermal wells were drilled on the property to provide the necessary heating and cooling functionality for the structure. The roof of Rolling Stock Hall also was rebuilt and insulated, and new skylights installed to maximize energy efficiency and natural lighting. New energy efficient, insulated doors replaced the old rollup doors at the west end of the hall.

Funding will allow upgrading of computer systems, acquisition of scanning equipment, and other systems to make the museum's vast library and archives resources reachable electronically.

Installing fiber optic cable.

The additional work stations will allow Museum volunteers to more readily process and catalogue library and archival collections into the database which will, in turn, provide a larger and more accessible pool of materials available to scholars, historians and researchers.

Museum Director Charles Fox noted that “with tools like the book copier, scanner and microfilm reader, researchers will be better able to make use of the collection without compromising the integrity of fragile, original documents. Improvements to the technology infrastructure will accommodate increasing data loads and the enhance efficiency of the network and on line capabilities.

"Many of our holdings are unique and are of great historic value to anyone interested in North American railroads. We sincerely appreciate the Norfolk Southern Foundation’s recognition of and commitment to these important resources.”

Additional information on the Library and Archives, including progress to date and access opportunities is available here.